Furniture



Noir. 22, 1938. H. FELDMAN 2,137,717

FURNITURE Filed MaI-chao, 1957- 5 sheets-sheet 1 HHHII. lHllllul l INVENTOR 12a 12b' ,C 14 2% 19' ,uw

ATTORNEY v Nov. 22,1938. H, FELDMAN 2,137,717

FURNITURE Filed Maron so, 1957 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR 'BY M .1a/HIM ATTORNEY I Nov. 22, 1'938. H. FELDMAN Y 2,137,717

FURNITURE Filed March so., 1.957 s sheets-sheet 5' 109 12 Z j] 8O r 95 107- Q' o 105 95 Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE Application March 30,

18 Claims.

This invention relates to furniture. It is particularly directed to a combination desk and table and the like articles of furniture.

An object of this invention is to provide an article of furniture 'of the character described, which may be used as a desk and looks like a desk, and which may be easily converted into a table, and when converted will provide ample room for the knees and feet of persons sitting thereat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rugged, compact and highly attractive article of furniture of the character described, which shall `be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to manipulate, comprise few and simple parts, and

i5 which shall yet be practical and eiiicient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features ci construction, combinations of elements, and the arrangement of parts which will be ex empliiied in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of an article of furniture embodying the invention, and illustrating in dot-dash lines the position of various parts when converted into a table, and with parts in cross section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure `shown in Fig. l opened for use as a table; and with parts broken away and in cross-section;

Fig. t is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. i is one end elevational view 0i' the structure shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the other end of the desk shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the upper portion of an article of furniture embodying the invention and illustrating a modifled form thereof;

Fig. 'l is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 6, converted from a desk into a table;

Fig. 8 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 6, converted from a desk into a table;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. l0 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5 5 III-I0 of Fig. 8;

1937, Serial No. 133.787

(Cl. 31E-164) Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of a desk embodying the invention,illi1strating a still further modified form of the invention, and with parts in cross section Fig. l2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line I2I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the desk when converted into a table Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Il--ld of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating a ball and socket means for limiting movement of the cabinets toward each other.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 to 5, I0 designates an article of furniture embodying the invention, in the form of a combination desk and table. That is, the desk of Fig. 1 may be converted into a table as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. My improved article oi' furniture Ill, comprises a desk top II, to one end I Ia of which there is flxed a vertical, narrow centrally located panel I2, extending down to the floor. The panel I2, is narrower in width than the desk top l I, and is centrally disposed between the front and rear-edges of said table top. Fixed to the bottom end of the panel I2, is a supporting base I2a, and fixed to said base is a horizontal board I3, disposed centrally beneath the desk top II and somewhat narrower than panel I2.

Fixed to one end of the board I3, is a substantially square or oblong base Il. The base Il is located beneath the other end II b of the desk top I I, and is centrally disposed between the front and rear edges of said desk top, and is of less width than said desk top. The base I2a and the base I4, may be supported on legs I2b and Ila, respectively, or casters, or any other suitable supporting devices.

Fixed to the underside of the desk top il, is a vertical downwardly projecting, pivot pin il. The pin Il. is located centrally between the front and rear edges of the desk top II, and directly over the center of the base I4. On the base i4, and directly beneath the pin il, is a pin socket i9. Disposed between the base i4, and the desk top, is a cabinet 20 for drawers. The cabinet 2li, has a bottom Wall 2|, a top wall 22, side walls 23 and 24, a front wall 25, and a rear wall 26. Fixed to the top wall 22, is a socket 2l, receiving the pivot pin I1. Attached to the under side of the bottom wall 'M` of said cabinet 20, is a pin 28 journaled to the socket I9. The pins and sockets may be of any suitable type, and serve to mount the cabinet 20, between the base I4 and the desk top II for pivotal movement about a `vertical axis.

The length of the cabinet from front to rear is preferably equal substantially to the width oi' the desk top Ii. As shown in Fig. 2 in the drawings, width of the cabinet 20, from one side wall to the other, is preferably greater than the width of the base |4 from front to rear, so that when the cabinet is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 1, through an angle of 90, to the position shown in Fig. 2, said base will be inset from the side walls 23, 24 of the cabinet, whereby the toes of persons sitting at the table may project beneath the cabinet. The additional room for the feet adds to the comfort of persons sitting at the table on opposite sides of the cabinet 23.

Any desirable number of drawers 3| may be provided in the cabinet 20. The side wall 23 of the cabinet has vertical flanges 30 at the front and rear vertical edges thereof, forming a recess 33 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. Pivoted to the end edge lib of the desk top Il, is a leaf 35, normally hanging by gravity in vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, and being received within said recess 33, so that the front and rear edges of said leaf cannot be seen from either the front or rear of the desk.

There is also pivoted to the other end edge Ila of the desk top a leaf 36, normally hanging by gravity in vertical position. To support the leaf 36 in horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, there is pivoted to the front and rear vertical edges of the panel I2, a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed panels 4|) and 4| hinged about the hinges 40a and 4Ia respectively. The panels 40 and 4| are normally in the same plane as the panel |2. On the outer vertical edges thereof the panels 46 and 4| have angular outwardly extending flanges 42 and 43, to cover the front and rear edges of leaf 36.

To convert the desk into a table, the leaf 35 is raised to horizontal position and the cabinet 20 swung through an angle of 90 degrees, to the position shown in Fig. 2. The cabinet 20 as shown in Fig. 2, when swung through an angle of 90 degrees, about the vertical pins l1 and 28, will project beyond the end ib of the desk top to support the leaf 35. 'I'his manipulation furthermore provides room for the knees of persons sitting at the table on opposite sides of the cabinet. At the other end ||a of the table, the leaf 361s lifted to horizontal position, and the panels 40, 4| swung inwardly through angles of 93 degrees, to the position shown in Fig. 2. In the position of Fig. 2, the panels 4o and 4| will support the leaf 36 and will give knee room for persons sitting on opposite sides of panel i2. The desk is then converted into a table, and will provide knee or leg room all around the table.

In Figs. 6 to 10 inclusive, there is illustrated a combination desk and table, embodying a modifled form of the invention. The combination desk and table I a, illustrated in said figures, comprises a top structure including a fiat wall 5|, to the front and rear edges of which are fixed short, upstanding walls 52, supporting a desk top 53. The desk top 53 is spaced from the wall 5|, forming a chamber 54 therewith, open at the opposite ends. The inner surfaces of the upstanding front and rear walls 52, are formed with similar aligned grooves 51. The grooves 51 each comprises a horizontal central portion 58 adjacent the lower wall 5|, upwardly and outwardly inclined portions 59 at opposite ends of said central portion, and short, horizontal end portions 68 extending outwardly from said inclined portions, and disposed adjacent the desk top 53. The member .60 is supported at one end by a cabinet 20, pivoted about a central, vertical axis, and supported on a base (not shown), similar to the base' I4. 'Ihe other end of member 50 may be supported by a vertical panel 62 having a width equal to that of the desk top. The panel 62 is pivoted by a central pin and socket connection 63, to the middle of one end of wall or board 5|. The bottom of said panel may also be pivotally supported by a base (not shown) through a pin and socket connection. The panel 62 may be turned through an angle of 90 degrees, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Disposed within the chamber 54 are a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed extensible leaves 65. At the inner ends of said leaves and on opposite sides thereof are brackets 66, carrying rollers 61, disposed within the grooves 51. At the outer ends thereof the leaves 65 have downwardly extending flanges 68, adapted to rest, one on the top of the cabinet 28, and the other on the vertical panel 62, as shown in Fig. 6. Hinged to the under surfaces of said leaves 65, as on hinges are transverse supports 1|, adapted to be disposed between said leaves and the wall 5I when the leaves are within chamber 54.

To convert the desk into a table, the leaves 65 are pulled out and the cabinet 20 and panel 62 are turned through angles of 90 degrees each. As shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, one hinged support 1| rests on the turned cabinet 20, and the other hinged support rests on the turned panel 62, to maintain the leaves in horizontal position. When the leaves are pulled out, the rollers 65 roll within the portions 58, 59 and 60 of the grooves 51. l

Turning of the cabinet and the panel 62 provides leg and knee movement necessary for persons to sit comfortably at the table.

The panel 62 may be of the full width of the desk, but when turned through an angle of 90 degrees is disposed along the longitudinal axis of the table, and is therefore out of the way of the feet or knees of a person sitting at the table. To collapse the table into a desk,

the hinged supports 1| are swung upwardly against the under sides of the leaves, the leaves `are swung downwardly about the rollers 61, until said leaves are below the desk top 53. Said leaves may then be pushed inwardly within the compartment 54.

It will be understood that the leaves are collapsed one at a, time. After the leaves are pushed into the compartment 54, the cabinet 20, and panel 62, may be rotated back to normal position.

It will be understood that the desks i0 and Illa may be provided with cabinets at both ends each pivoted about a vertical axis.

In Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive there is illustrated a desk 8|) convertible into a. table and embodying another form of the invention. The article of furniture 80 comprises a horizontal rectangular member 8| supported at the ends 8|a and 8|b by a pair of spaced cabinets 82, provided with drawers 83 of any suitable construction. g

Means is provided for slidably moving the cabinets 82 toward each other to the dot dash line positions of Fig. 11. To this end the under surface of the member 8| is formed with a pair of parallel slots 84, 65 adjacent the front and rear edges 86, 81 of said member 8|, and extending substantially the entire length of said member. Within each of the slots or grooves 84, 85 is a vertical rail casing member 88 having a bottom wall 88a formed with a central longitudinal slot 88h. Fixed to the top oi' each cabinet 82 are a pair of, parallel front and rear elongated brackets 80, each having an upwardly extending vertical wall 9|, projecting above the cabinet and through the slots 88h. The walls 8| each carry at the ends thereof a pair of rollers 92 disposed within the rail casing 88 on opposite sides of slot 88h.

-Itv will now be understood that the cabinets 82 areconnected to the member 8| by a roller on rail connection. To limit the movement of the cabinets inwardly toward each other at the dot dash line position of Fig. 11, each of the webs or Walls 8| carries at the upper edge thereof. a spring pressed ball assembly 85; and the top walls 88o of the rail casings 88 are formed with openings 8B into which the balls 05 will snap when the cabinets are centrally located, with the meeting surfaces at the midsectlon of the member 8|.

On the member 8| are a pair of superposed table top members and |0| of equal dimension and similar in size to the member 8|. The members |00, |0| are hinged together by hinge |02 at the rear edges thereof.

`Means is provided to permit the hinged together members 00, |0| to be slidably moved forwardly together, for a distance equal to half the width of the member 8|, whereby the member |00 may then be swung open through an angle of 180 degrees to the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14 ofthe drawings. To this end the member 8| is formed in the upper surface thereof with a pair of spaced parallel grooves parallel to the ends of member 8|, and symmetrically Y.'lisposed about the midsection of said member.

The grooves |05 terminate short of the front and rear edges 86, 81 of the member di. Fixed to the underside of the member |0| and countersunk therein, are a pair of parallel guide members |01, slidably received within the grooves |05. The members |01 are formed on the opposite side edges thereof, with grooves |08; and metal plates |08, fixed to the top of the member 8| and countersiink therein and disposed on opposite sides of the member |071 project into the grooves |08 to prevent lifting of the member itl off the top of member 8|. The front ends of the members |01 are spaced from the front ends of the slots |05 by adistance equal to half the width of the member 0|, so as to permit the hinged together members |00, |0| to be slidably moved together forwardly for a distanceequal to half the width of the member 0 I, at which the position oi' the front ends of the members |07 will contact the stops ||0 at the front ends of said slots. Thereafter the member |00 may be swung about the hinge '|02 through an angle of 180 degrees to the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

lit will now be understood that the article of furniture 00 as shown in Fig. 11 is a desk with cabinets at both ends. The piece of furniture t0 may be converted into a table by moving the cabinets 82 together, sliding members i00, |0| forwardly, and then opening up the member |00.

.in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the

cabinets 02 are spaced from all edges of the table top |00, |0| providing ample knee or foot room for persons sitting at the table.

The table may be reconvertedlnto a. desk by swinging the member |00 over the top of the member l0i, then pushing the two together rearwardly to superimposed position with respect to member 8|, and then pulling the cabinets 82 apart.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

i. An article of furniture comprising a top member, a cabinet, having drawers, supporting one end of said top member and being substantially of the same dimension, from front to rear, as the width of the top member, means for pivotally connecting the cabinet to the top member about a vertical axis, the width of the cabinet from side to side being less than the width of the top member from front to rear, means to support the other end of said top member, a leaf connected to said top member, said cabinet being adapted to support said leaf infhorizontal position upon rotating said cabinet about said vertical axis.

2. An article of furniture comprising a top member, a cabinet, having drawers, supporting one end of said top member and being substantially of the saine dimension, from front to rear, as thewidth of the top member, and means for pivotally connecting the cabinet to the top member about a vertical axis, the width of the cabinet from side to side being less than the width of the top member from iront to rear, a leaf on said top member adapted to be supported by said cabinet upon rotating the latter about said axis, and a member at the opposite end of and beneath said top member to support the other end of said top member, and extending to a front edge of said top member and rotatable about a vertical axis to a position spaced inwardly of said front edge and a second leaf on said top member adapted to be supported by said rotatable member in said spaced position thereof.

3. An article of furniture comprising a top member, a cabinet, for drawers, supporting one end of said top member and being substantially oi the same dimension, from front to rear, as the width of the top member and means pivotally connecting the cabinet to the top member about a vertical axis, the width of the cabinet from side to side being less than the width of the top member from front to rear, means to support the other end of said top member and a leaf associated with said top member and movable with respect thereto to form an extension of said top member, said cabinet being adapted to project beyond one end of the top member when swung about said vertical axis through an angle of 90 degrees, and to support said leaf in the latter position thereof.

4. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table and comprising a desk top, a cabinet supporting the desk top adjacent one end thereof and being connected to said desk top for pivotal movement about a Vertical axis, a member adjacent the other end of the desk top pivotable about a vertical axis, and extensible leaves movably connected to said desk top, adapted to be supported by said cabinet and pivotable member respectively upon rotating said cabinet and pivotable member about said axes.

5. As an article of furniture, a combination desk and table comprising a table top, a cabinet supporting one end of said table top, a leaf hinged to one end of said table top and hanging by gravity in vertical position, said cabinet being pivoted to the table top about a vertical axis and being adapted to project beyond said end of said table top upon rotating said cabinet about said axis, whereby to support said hinged leaf when said leaf has been lifted to horizontal position and means to support the other end of said table to As an article of furniture, a combination desk and table comprising a table top, a cabinet supporting one end of said table top, a leaf hinged to one .end of said table top and hanging by gravity in vertical position, said cabinet being pivoted to the table top about a vertical axis and being adapted to project beyond said end of said table top when said cabinet has been rotated about said axis, whereby to support said hinged leaf when said leaf has been lifted to horizontal position, the other end of said table top being supported by a central panel and panels hinged about vertical axes to the front and rear portions of said panel, a leaf hinged to the table top adjacent said other end and being adapted to be supported by said pair of panels, when said last mentioned leaf has been lifted to horizontal position and swinging said pair of panels outwardly about their vertical pivots.

7. As an article of manufacture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a leaf slidably mounted with respect thereto and extensible therefrom, and a member supporting said top member and connected thereto for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and being adapted when rotated to support said slidable leaf when the latter is extended from said top member.

8. As an article of manufacture, a desk convertible into a table comprising a top member, a pair of cabinets supporting the opposite ends of said top member, means for slidably connecting said cabinets to saidtop member whereby said cabinets may be slidably moved toward the middle of said top member, and a pair of hinged together superposed members on said top member, one of said hinged together members being slidably mounted on said top member.

9. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member supported at one end by a cabinet movable with respect to said top member, said cabinet inA one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said portion of said cabinet in another position of said cabinet being spaced from said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said article of furniture when converted into a table, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, and a pair of table top members connected with said first top member and movable relative thereto and to each other, said table top members being movable to positions projecting beyond other edges of said top member, said top member being supported wholly and only by said cabinet and means.

10. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member supported at one end by a cabinet movable with respect to said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said portionof said cabinet in another position of said cabinet being spaced from said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said article of furniture when converted into a table, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, and a pair of table top members connected with said rst top member and movable relative thereto and to each other, said cabinet in said other position thereof being adapted to support one of said pair of table top members, and said means being adapted to support said other of said pair of table top members.

11. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table. comprising a top member, a cabinet supporting one end of said top member and being disposed wholly beneath said top member and movably connected thereto, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said cabinet in another position thereof being spaced inwardly of said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said edge of said top member, when said article of furniture is converted into a table, and a leaf connected to said top member and movable with respect thereto, said leaf being adapted to be moved to a position projecting beyond another edge of said top member, said ,top member being supported only by said cabinet and means.

12. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a cabinet supporting one end of said top member and being disposed wholly beneath said top member in one of its positions, and movably connected thereto, means spaced from said cabinet to sup-V port the other end of said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion/disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said cabinet in another position thereof being spaced inwardly of said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said edge of said top member, when said article of furniture is converted into a table, and a leaf connected to said top member and movable with respect thereto, said leaf being adapted to be moved to a position projecting beyond another edge of said top member, said cabinet being adapted to project beyond said other edge of said top member in said other position thereof, and said leaf being supported in horizontal position by said cabinet when the latter is in said other position thereof.

13. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a cabinet supporting one end of said top member and being disposed wholly beneath said top member in one of its positions, and movably connected thereto, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said cabinet in another position thereof being spaced inwardly of said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said edge of said top member, when said article of furniture is converted into a table, and a leaf connected to said top member and movable with respect thereto, said leaf being adapted to be moved to a position projecting beyond another edge of said top member, said cabinet being adapted to project beyond said other edge of said top member in said other position thereof, and said leaf being supported in horizontal position by said cabinet eoL when the latter is in said other position thereof, said cabinet being substantially of the same dlmension from front to rear as the width of said top member, and the width'of said cabinet from side to side being less than the width of said top member from front to rear.

14. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a cabinet supporting one end of said top member and being disposed wholly beneath said top member in one of its positions, and movably connected thereto, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent an edge of said top member, said cabinet in another position thereof being spaced inwardly of said edge of said top member to provide leg room for persons sitting at said edge of said top member, when said article of furniture is converted into a table, and a leaf connected to said top member and movable with respect thereto, said leaf being adapted to be moved to a position projecting beyond another edge of said top member, said cabinet being adapted to project beyond said other edge of said top member in said other position thereof, and said leaf being supported in horizontal position by said cabinet when the latter is in said other position thereof, a second leaf movably connected to said top member, and means connected with the means for supporting the other end of said top member, for supporting said second leaf in horizontal position.

15. A desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a pair of leaves hinged to the ends of said top member, and normally hanging therefrom by gravity in vertical position, a vertical member supporting one end of said top member, means on said vertical member for supporting one of said leaves in horizontal position upon lifting said leaf to said position, a base fixed to the lower end of said vertical member and disposed parallel to said top member, a cabinetv interposed between said top member and base and being connected thereto for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said cabinet being adapted to support the other leaf in horizontal position, when said leaf has been lifted to horizontal position and said cabinet has been rotated about its vertical axis.

16. A desk convertible into a table, comprising a horizontal table top, a base below said table top, a cabinet interposed between said table top and base and disposed adjacent one end of said table top, means for connecting said cabinet to said table top and base for rotation about a vertical axis, a leaf movably connected to said table top and adapted to be supported by said cabinet in one angular position of said cabinet, and means interconnecting said base and table top to support the other end of said table top.

17. An article of furniture comprising a horizontal top member, a pair of vertical members wholly and jointly supporting said top member and being movably connected thereto, each of said vertical members in one of its positions being disposed wholly beneath said top member and having a portion disposed adjacent an edge portion of said top member and in another of its positions, spaced from said edge portion of said top member, a pair of leaves movably mounted en said top member, and being movable relative to one another and adapted to be moved to positions projecting beyond other edge portions of said table top.

18. As an article of furniture, a desk convertible into a table, comprising a top member, a cabinet supporting one end of said top member and being disposed wholly beneath said top member and movably connected thereto, means spaced from said cabinet to support the other end of said top member, said cabinet in one position thereof having a portion disposed adjacent one edge portion of said top member, said cabinet in another position thereof being spaced inwardly of said edge portion of said top member to pro vide leg room for persons sitting at said edge portion of said top member, when said article of furniture is converted into a table, a leaf movably connected to said top member and adapted to be moved to a position projecting beyond a second edge portion of said top member, said top member being supported only by said cabinet and means, said means being movably connected to said top member and, in one of its positions, being disposed wholly beneath said top member and having a portion disposed adjacent the first edge portion of said top member, said means in another of its positions being spaced inwardly of said last mentioned edge portion of said top member, and a second leaf connected to saidtop member, and movable with respect thereto and with respect to said first leaf, said second leaf being adapted to be moved to a position projecting be- 

